Saturday 19th April 2025

Our last day among the Bengal tigers.

And to be honest, some on the group, me included, are somewhat glad.

Days start cool and mild but build close to and above forty degrees. We are rocked, shaked and jiggered by the landrovers on the tracks, and we just want a bit of peace now.

Which we shall get.

Whilst travelling.

Also the early starts: half four for us, wheels at half five, the driving in the gloom of dawn to the gate, and then into the park.

We have see wonderous thigs, only a fraction I have thus shared with you, but more is coming.

Today was going to touch forty one, and was twenty nine before dawn, though felt much colder than that.

We were all going to the same area, so we lined up at each stage until at quarter to seven we were let in.

Straight way we saw a Brown fish owl on a branch low down. My first, so we all got shots before moving on.

One of the rarest animals here are the elephants, and one we wanted to see, and as we crested the hill from where we saw the cubs yesterday, a single elephant was making its way across the grassy plain.

Us and six other jeeps waited until it emerged from the small wood, crossing the track in front of us, and was gone.

And then there are the tigers.

Being already hot all three we saw were asleep, and no sign of the cubs either. We waited an hour at one place to she if the tigress would stir, but didn't.

We went for breakfast, then went t check on the meadow where the cubs are: none seen, and Mother was in the stream, fast asleep.

That was that.

Back to camp then for lunch before the 17th and final safari.

There was no change to lunch: soup followed by various curries. I have been living on lentils pretty much since I got here, as I did again.

Another power nap before wheels at half three, where our jeep failed to turn up. So, we waiting in the heat until he pulled up, so we climbed in.

We picked up the guide, then on the short ride to the gate, got enraged by another jeep overtaking on the access road, and at the gate they all but had a punch up about it, and our driver had to be held back.

Odd then, he thought nothing of overtaking other vehicles in the park, demanding others move to make allowances for his dreadful driving. He hit three other jeeps, hit the same stationary tree three times having selected the wrong or no gear. And stalled the engine on numerous occasions.

He was one more incident from being spoken to, by me. In short, I didn't feel safe with him driving.

Other than that, much driving around, no tigers, because it were all too hot. 41 degrees and so humid.

At six the first tiger was spotted. From our position we didn't see him. And at dusk a second was found, sleeping in the long grass of a flood meadow, so low down to see him, you'd have to stand on the seats, and even then, just see his ears.

And that was that.

We drove back to the gate, then back the complex, where it is now time to shower, change, pack and get ready for the two transit days.

First of all by car and plane back to The Lemon Tree in Delhi, then by either bus or car for nine ours into the foothills of the Himalayas for our last week or so.

But now.

Dinner.

Beer and lentils.